Q&As

The Direct Marketing Association board of directors has named to its Hall of Fame Dick Cabela, founder of Cabela’s John W. Temple, CEO of Guideposts and the late Donald Kuhn of May Development Services/Direct Media to its Hall of Fame.

The nation’s institutions–which include everything from schools to hospitals, city and county governments, libraries and religious institutions, represent a $4.1 trillion annual market, are largely resistant to recessions and very often are predictable steady buyers of products. But they’re not as easy to reach as some might think , said Mary English, assistant director of strategic alliances at MCH at a session Tuesday morning.

A Response Rate Trends Report released Tuesday by the Direct Marketing Association found that catalogs and direct mail typically produce 2.3% and 2.18% response rates, respectively.

A lawsuit filed against infoUSA and several of its directors, including CEO Vinod Gupta, has been dismissed, according to infoUSA.

Virgin Megastores is rolling out a new loyalty program that rewards customers—based on shopping habits—with points, discounts and entertainment incentives.

Kellogg Co. will put Xbox 360 games in 80 million cereal and snack boxes in its highest-value promotion ever.

In a move to promote healthy eating among kids, Nickelodeon and the Walt Disney Co. are focusing more on linking their famous characters with nutritious products, including fruit.

Jim McCafferty’s new-business pitch is unusual, even for the toy industry. He invites people to come and have lunch in his spaceship.

Best Western International is set to greatly expand it travel card program offering its gift card in a number of retail outlets, including discount giant Wal-Mart and The Kroger Co., just as consumers gear up for the start of the holiday shopping season.

Travelocity becomes the first major online travel agency to launch a loyalty program to give its most dedicated customers priority service, exclusive discounts and additional perks, the online travel company said yesterday. The VIP program adds an extra layer pampering to it existing customer loyalty program launched last November.